The Ummbila Emoyeni project, located in the Highveld region of Mpumalanga, has been designated a Strategic Integrated Project by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure. This designation underscores the project's importance in supporting South Africa's energy transition. Additionally, the project has received its Environmental Authorisation from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, and construction commenced in late 2023.

Mike Teke, Seriti Green Chairperson, reflecting on the commencement of this project said, “We are pleased and honoured to contribute to the country’s energy security through this project. It is a significant milestone for the Group and Seriti Green in particular, while representing the fulfilment of a commitment we made at the President’s Investment Conference. About half of this infrastructure will be owned and maintained by Seriti Green, while the other half will form part of Eskom's national grid.  The Seriti Group and ordinary citizens will, therefore, benefit from this project.”

The Ummbila Emoyeni project is a testament to innovation and sustainability. Despite Mpumalanga's reputation as a coal hub, extensive wind resource assessments conducted by Seriti over 36-months revealed the province's suitability for wind energy. This shift towards renewable energy not only aligns with global sustainability goals but also ensures a continuous power supply for Seriti's operations in the region.

According to Seriti, this renewable energy mega project is expected to supply 75% of the energy needs of the group’s coal mining operations while mitigating its Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions and thereby reducing its carbon footprint and accelerating its green energy transition. The project is expected to be fully commissioned by 2027, by which time it will provide electricity to Seriti’s coal mines and about 500 000 households in the area. This project also sets a new benchmark for public-private-partnerships (PPPs).

Seriti Green’s CEO Peter Venn said, “The country’s alternative energy space is ripe for diversification, and it is a great opportunity for South African companies to be part of the implementation of the Just Energy Transition. We can no longer ignore the effects of climate change and we must not delay in ensuring we reduce carbon emissions, create jobs and improve the lives of citizens who have borne the brunt of energy constraints. Seriti Green is committed to this endeavour.”

WSP in Africa’s Energy team was appointed by Seriti Green, a subsidiary of the mining giant Seriti, as their Owner’s Engineer to provide expert consulting services for the development of this project. Kelton Govender, Electrical Engineer for Energy at WSP in Africa, highlights the firm's role: “We were initially brought on board to assist with the development specifications for the new main transmission substation. Our involvement quickly expanded to overseeing the design and construction of the wind energy facility, which includes 25 turbines (155MW) in its first phase – sufficient to power about 165 000 households a year - with the potential to scale up to 750MW of wind generation.”

Govender explains, “This is a fast-paced project, driven by the private sector in collaboration with Eskom. We are building the main transmission substation for the complete 900MW, 750MW of wind and 150MW solar generation, aiming to complete the initial 155MW facility by July 2026. The fast-tracked timeline is significantly shorter than typical projects of this scale.”

Community engagement and economic development

A significant aspect of the Ummbila Emoyeni project is its focus on community engagement and economic development. Seriti Green is actively involving local communities, such as Bethal, Morgenzon and Davel, by guiding them on tender applications and collaborations with subcontractors. Seriti has also put in place an economic development team to ensure that local businesses benefit from the project, fostering job creation and skills transfer within the community.

“Seriti is committed to ensuring that this project brings tangible benefits to the local communities,” Govender states. “These efforts include upskilling local residents in maintenance roles, which is crucial for the project's long-term sustainability.”

Overcoming challenges

While the project has faced some challenges associated with large-scale construction, such as tight timelines and initial community resistance, WSP in Africa and Seriti Green have implemented extensive risk management strategies.

“These include extensive community outreach efforts to highlight the fact that the project is not to replace coal but to enable the mine to continue producing coal and supply Eskom with this resource. Of course, we have also had to mitigate risks from potential disruptions, such as those posed by local community unrest,” says Govender. 

In addition to Ummbila Emoyeni, Seriti Green is in the early development phase of the adjacent 1.3GW Phefumula Emoyeni project. Together, these projects represent a significant capital investment, running into billions of Rands, and are poised to play a crucial role in South Africa’s energy landscape.

WSP continues to demonstrate its commitment to excellence, sustainability, and innovation through its involvement in the Ummbila Emoyeni project. By delivering quality work on time and fostering strong community ties, WSP is helping to pave the way for a greener, more sustainable future for South Africa.

“Through projects like Ummbila Emoyeni, we are not only advancing renewable energy solutions but also supporting contributions to socio-economic development, ensuring that the transition to a sustainable energy future benefits all stakeholders involved,” concludes Govender.

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